Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Emerging markets, including India, saw a relief rally as the US dollar weakened. This happened despite new US tariffs and the risk of trade tensions, while high US inflation may delay rate cuts.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tips & Sony Strike a Tune 🎵

What Happened?

Sony Music Publishing has renewed its exclusive global deal with Tips Music, expanding their partnership to YouTube worldwide (excluding India).

This means Tips’ massive catalog of 32,000+ tracks in 24 languages will now have an even wider international audience. 

Why It Matters?

Bollywood music isn’t just for desi dance floors anymore—it’s a global goldmine.

With streaming revenue soaring and YouTube’s 2.5 billion active users, this move helps Tips and Sony cash in on international markets. 

More importantly, it strengthens licensing, streaming, and sync opportunities for Indian tracks in films, ads, and even global charts.

What About Sony?

For Sony Music Publishing, this is a smart play in the billion-dollar music publishing business, leveraging their expertise to monetise Indian music globally. 

The company plans to release 12-15 Bollywood and regional film albums annually, along with independent music under its Tips Originals label.

As Bollywood soundtracks continue to make waves internationally, this deal could be the key to turning beats into big bucks.

PAISON KA KHEL

LIC Housing Goes All In—₹1.23 Lakh Cr! 💸

LIC Housing Finance is gearing up for a borrowing bonanza, with its board approving a ₹1.23 lakh crore budget for FY26. The company will raise funds through bonds, loans, and even foreign currency borrowings.

Investors seemed to love the news, as shares jumped 3.49% to close at ₹521.20 on the BSE. With this move, LIC Housing Finance is ensuring it has enough cash to keep India’s home loan dreams alive.

Coforge Bags a $1.56 Billion Jackpot  💰

Indian IT firm Coforge just landed a $1.56 billion deal with Sabre Corporation, a US-based travel tech giant.

The 13-year agreement aims to supercharge AI-driven travel solutions, proving that tech and travel are now BFFs.

With AI taking the front seat, this partnership could redefine how we book flights—hopefully, with fewer “your session has expired” errors!

GROWTH GULLY

🔧 Self-Improvement: 5 five key areas to focus on for personal development and growth.

🍎 Health Habits 2025: Simple daily habits to improve your well-being and stay healthier in 2025.

💸 Learn Finance: A thread detailing a personal journey of self-taught education.

🧠 Mind Hack: 7 principles to build superhuman focus

📖 Easy Access: A structured approach to effectively managing your finances.

FINANCE

A Billion-Dollar Fix or Just a Band-Aid? 🩹

What Happened?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to play financial firefighter again, announcing two Open Market Operations (OMOs) worth ₹1 lakh crore and a $10 billion forex swap to pump cash into the banking system. 

The liquidity boost will be spread across three dates—March 12, 18, and 24—because even money injections need a schedule.

Why It Matters

Indian banks have been running low on cash, with a ₹204.2 billion liquidity deficit recorded on March 4, the lowest since December 15.

The culprits? Tax outflows, aggressive dollar sales by the RBI, and lower-than-expected government spending, all squeezing the system dry.

A tight liquidity situation isn’t just a banker’s nightmare—it affects loans, interest rates, and the overall economy. 

The RBI has already injected ₹4.5 trillion since mid-January to keep things stable, but more fuel is needed to keep the engine running.

Zoom Out

With the central bank recently cutting interest rates for the first time in five years, liquidity is now a major concern. After all, what’s the point of lower rates if banks don’t have enough cash to lend? 

This move ensures that the policy shift actually benefits businesses and consumers rather than just looking good on paper.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Emirates Wants an Upgrade ✈️

With Boeing’s delays stretching like an airport security line, Emirates is dropping nearly $5 billion to retrofit its existing Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. 

Emirates President Tim Clark saw the turbulence ahead and decided to take control, upgrading cabins and extending aircraft lifespans. Meanwhile, Boeing’s much-anticipated 777X remains stuck in certification limbo. 

Clark even hinted at considering Airbus A350-1000s—if Rolls-Royce can prove its engines won’t throw a tantrum.  

PowerChina’s $555 Million Shock to Laos ⚡

In a high-voltage twist, Nam Ou Power, a subsidiary of China’s state-owned Power Construction Corp of China (PowerChina), has filed a lawsuit against Laos’ Electricite du Laos (EdL) in Singapore, claiming a whopping $555 million in unpaid dues. 

The dispute centers on the $2.73 billion Nam Ou River Cascade Hydropower project, which boasts a 1.27-gigawatt capacity from seven cascades along 350 km of river. 

REAL ESTATE

$400M for Kolkata’s Retail Crown 👑

What Happened?

Global investment giant Blackstone Inc. is closing in on a $400 million deal to acquire Kolkata’s South City Mall, the largest shopping center in eastern India. 

The asset manager, already a major player in India’s office and hotel sectors with $20 billion invested, is making a bold move into retail. 

South City Mall, home to Zara, Sephora, and Marks & Spencer, could soon be the latest addition to Blackstone’s growing real estate empire.

Why It Matters?

This deal is more than just about buying a mall—it’s about tapping into India’s booming consumer market, which fuels nearly 60% of the country’s GDP. 

Blackstone has already cashed in on India’s e-commerce growth through warehouse investments. Now, it’s looking to balance the digital and physical worlds by adding premium shopping centers to its portfolio.

The Final Take

If the deal goes through, Blackstone will officially mark its entry into Kolkata’s retail market, further strengthening its position as India’s go-to real estate investor. 

With its Nexus Select Trust REIT already managing 18 malls across 14 cities, this could be a strategic expansion. Plus, for Kolkata, this signals a major global vote of confidence in its retail sector.

MIRCH MASALA

🏏 Smith on India: Steve Smith downplays India’s home advantage after Australia’s Champions Trophy exit

🎤 Podcast Ban Lifted: Ranveer Allahabadia can resume shows under new moral guidelines

🏅 Doping Worries: Rising doping cases among minors worry Indian sports officials

🦩 Flamingo Invasion: Thousands of flamingos have turned Mumbai’s Thane into a pink paradise

👏 Delhi’s Air Improves: Delhi’s air pollution levels have declined by 45% since 2014